Mara Superior’s House & Garden Series highlights the landscape, architecture, and lifestyle of New England. The artworks display the depth of influence that living in the area has had on the artist’s aesthetic, and range from teapots, to relief tiles and platters.
TEAPOTS
Mara Superior, “A Tea Party”, 1985, 17 x 22.5 x 4″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Tea Party”, 1985, 17 x 22.5 x 4″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Tea Party”, 1985, 17 x 22.5 x 4″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Tea Party”, 1985, 17 x 22.5 x 4″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Trees/ Forrest/ Tea Tea Time”, 1985, 19.75 x 16 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Trees/ Forrest/ Tea Tea Time”, 1985, 19.75 x 16 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Pennsylvania Teapot”, 1987, 21 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Pennsylvania Teapot”, 1987, 21 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Pennsylvania Teapot”, 1987, 21 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Pennsylvania Teapot”, 1987, 21 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Tea House”, 1988, 23 x 21 x 8.5″, porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “A Tea House”, 1988, 23 x 21 x 8.5″, porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “A Tea House”, 1988, 23 x 21 x 8.5″, porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “A Tea House”, 1988, 23 x 21 x 8.5″, porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “The Homestead: A Pastoral”, 1989, 19 x 15 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “The Homestead: A Pastoral”, 1989, 19 x 15 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “The Homestead: A Pastoral”, 1989, 19 x 15 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “The Homestead: A Pastoral”, 1989, 19 x 15 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Dream House Teapot”, 1992, 6 x 13 x 7.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Dream House Teapot”, 1992, 6 x 13 x 7.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Arbor Vitae/Enchanted Wood”, 1993, 11 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Arbor Vitae/Enchanted Wood”, 1993, 11 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Arbor Vitae/Enchanted Wood”, 1993, 11 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Arbor Vitae/Enchanted Wood”, 1993, 11 x 20 x 9″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Femme”, 1998, 17.5 x 19 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Femme”, 1995, detail, 17.5 x 19 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Femme”, 1995, detail, 17.5 x 19 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Femme”, 1995, detail, 17.5 x 19 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Femme”, 1995, detail, 17.5 x 19 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Femme”, 1995, detail, 17.5 x 19 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Afternoon Tea”, 1996, 14 x 19 x 6.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Afternoon Tea”, 1996, 14 x 19 x 6.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Afternoon Tea”, 1996, 14 x 19 x 6.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Afternoon Tea”, 1996, 14 x 19 x 6.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Afternoon Tea”, 1996, 14 x 19 x 6.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “No Place Like Home”, 2005, 13 x 19 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf, bone, ink, brass pins.
Mara Superior, “No Place Like Home”, 2005, 13 x 19 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf, bone, ink, brass pins.
Mara Superior, “No Place Like Home”, 2005, 13 x 19 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf, bone, ink, brass pins.
Mara Superior, “Mates for Life (A Swan’s Wedding Day)”, 2008, 23 x 16 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, bone, ink.
Mara Superior, “Mates for Life (A Swan’s Wedding Day)”, 2008, 23 x 16 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, bone, ink.
Mara Superior, “A Swan’s Wedding Day”, 2008, 21 x 16 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, bone, ink, brass pins. Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.1).
Mara Superior, “A Swan’s Wedding Day”, 2008, 21 x 16 x 10″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, bone, ink, brass pins. Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.1).
Mara Superior, “Harmony Two Chimney House Teapot”, 2010, 11 x 16 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, bone, ink, brass pins, milk paint base.
Mara Superior, “Harmony Two Chimney House Teapot”, 2010, 11 x 16 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, bone, ink, brass pins, milk paint base.
Mara Superior, “Harmony Two Chimney House Teapot”, 2010, 11 x 16 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, bone, ink, brass pins, milk paint base.
Mara Superior, “Harmony Two Chimney House Teapot”, 2010, 11 x 16 x 8″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, bone, ink, brass pins, milk paint base.
Mara Superior, “Spring/Tree of Life”, 2015, 11 x 14 x 4″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “Spring/Tree of Life”, 2015, 11 x 14 x 4″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “A Spring Dream (Rabbit Teapot)”, 2008, 16 x 17 x 6″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf. Fuller Craft Museum (2018.25).
Mara Superior, “A Spring Dream (Rabbit Teapot)”, 2008, 16 x 17 x 6″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf. Fuller Craft Museum (2018.25).
Mara Superior, “A Spring Dream (Rabbit Teapot)”, 2008, 16 x 17 x 6″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf. Fuller Craft Museum (2018.25).
Mara Superior, “A Spring Dream (Rabbit Teapot)”, 2008, 16 x 17 x 6″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf. Fuller Craft Museum (2018.25).
VESSELS
Mara Superior, “A Dream Housing Dreaming”, 1984, 15.25 x 13.25 x 5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Dream Housing Dreaming”, 1984, 15.25 x 13.25 x 5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Dream Housing Dreaming”, 1984, 15.25 x 13.25 x 5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Dream Housing Dreaming”, 1984, 15.25 x 13.25 x 5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Dream Housing Dreaming”, 1984, 15.25 x 13.25 x 5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Landscape/A Cow”, 1985, 12 x 8 x 3″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze. Bennington Museum of Art (2019.1.2).
Mara Superior, “A Landscape/A Cow”, 1985, 12 x 8 x 3″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze. Bennington Museum of Art (2019.1.2).
Mara Superior, “Pair of Love Birds Vases”, 1990, 11.25 x 13.5 x 5″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Love Birds Vases”, 1990, 11.25 x 13.5 x 5″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Love Birds Vases”, 1990, 11.25 x 13.5 x 5″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Love Birds Vases”, 1990, 11.25 x 13.5 x 5″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Love Birds Vases”, 1990, 11.25 x 13.5 x 5″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Love Birds Vases”, 1990, 11.25 x 13.5 x 5″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “My Pet”, 1990, 16 x 21 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “My Pet”, 1990, 16 x 21 x 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Amour/Harmony”, 1991, 10.5 x 22 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Amour/Harmony”, 1991, 10.5 x 22 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Amour/Harmony”, 1991, 10.5 x 22 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Amour/Harmony”, 1991, 10.5 x 22 7″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Pair of Talking Bird Vases”, 1991, 11 x 13 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont Views/ Emerald Homestead”, 1993, 7.25 x 11.75 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont Views/ Emerald Homestead”, 1993, 7.25 x 11.75 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont Views/ Emerald Homestead”, 1993, 7.25 x 11.75 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont Views/ Emerald Homestead”, 1993, 7.25 x 11.75 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont Views/ Emerald Homestead”, 1993, 7.25 x 11.75 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont Views/ Emerald Homestead”, 1993, 7.25 x 11.75 x 4″ (each), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
PLATTERS, RELIEFS & TILE PICTURES
Mara Superior, “A Home Comfort”, 1982, 12 x 12 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Tea Party Platter”, 1987, 12.5 x 15.75 x .75″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “A Tea Party Platter”, 1987, 12.5 x 15.75 x .75″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Largest Heart Platter”, 1989, 20 x 19.5 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Largest Heart Platter”, 1989, 20 x 19.5 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “House & Garden”, 1998, 15 x 18 x 3″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Spring Two Rabbits Relief”, 2002, 19.5 x 6.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Peace on Earth”, 2003, 13 x 19 x 2″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Peace on Earth”, 2003, 13 x 19 x 2″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “Vermont View”, 2005, 14.5 x 19.5 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood frame, paint, gold leaf. Bennington Museum of Art (2019. 1.1).
Mara Superior, “Vermont View”, 2005, 14.5 x 19.5 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood frame, paint, gold leaf. Bennington Museum of Art (2019. 1.1).
Mara Superior, “Amour”, 2008, 12.5 x 19.5 x 3″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood.
Mara Superior, “Alfresco”, 2011, 16 x 20 x 2.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “Alfresco”, 2011, 16 x 20 x 2.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “La Vache Pot de Creme”, 2016, 16.5 x 16.5 x 3″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “La Vache Pot de Creme”, 2016, 16.5 x 16.5 x 3″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “June Platter” 2016, 12.5 x 16.5 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “June Platter” 2016, 12.5 x 16.5 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “My June Garden”, 2018, 16 x 16 x 2.25″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior, “My June Garden”, 2018, 16 x 16 x 2.25″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
Mara Superior “Winter House Platter”, 2004, 14 x 18 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze.
The Pursuit of Happiness, 2012-2014
In 2012, Barry and Merle Ginsburg commissioned Superior to create an all-American tribute to the founding fathers and the best of 18th century American democratic ideals. Completed in 2015, the architectural stacked porcelain commemorative sculpture uses symbols and references drawn from history and decorative arts including miniature presidential portraits, busts, The Declaration of Independence, and an apple pie.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.
RISD MUSEUM COLLECTION
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
RACINE MUSEUM COLLECTION
Mara Superior, "A Tea Party", 1985.
Mara Superior, "A Tea Party", 1985.
Mara Superior, "A Tea House", 1988.
Mara Superior, "A Tea House", 1988.
Mara Superior, "A Dream House Teapot", 1992
Mara Superior, "A Dream House Teapot", 1992.
Mara Superior, "Enchanted Wood/ Arbor Vitae", 1993.
Mara Superior, "Enchanted Wood/ Arbor Vitae", 1993.
Mara Superior, "Afternoon Tea", 1996.
Mara Superior, "Afternoon Tea", 1996.
Mara Superior, "Italia Ti Amo Teapot", 2006.
Mara Superior, "Italia Ti Amo Teapot", 2006.
Mara Superior, "Mates for Life (A Swan's Wedding Day)", 2008.
Mara Superior, "Mates for Life (A Swan's Wedding Day)", 2008.
Mara Superior, "Spring/Tree of Life", 2015.
Mara Superior, "Spring/Tree of Life", 2015.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON
Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986
Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986
Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986, detail 1.
Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986, detail 2.
Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986, detail.
FULLER CRAFT MUSEUM COLLECTION
Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008
Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008
Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008, detail
Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008, detail
Mara Superior in "Tending Fires: Recent Acquisitions in Clay", at the Fuller Craft Museum, August 17, 2019 - May 3, 2020.
Mara Superior in "Tending Fires: Recent Acquisitions in Clay", at the Fuller Craft Museum, August 17, 2019 - May 3, 2020.
THE FRICK PITTSBURGH COLLECTION
Mara Superior, "Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty/A Collection", 2018.
Mara Superior, "Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty/A Collection", 2018, detail.
Mara Superior Installation in Revive Remix Respond at The Frick Pittsburgh 2017_72dpi